@Stanley, I have gone ahead and read the informative reads you suggested, a real eye opener. First, yes the emilia definitely is still a "baby" and I have increased the humidity as is necessary for these small T's.

I now understand measuring for size, diagonally from the one side front leg to the other side rear leg, to get the accepted size equation. I also understand that the 9.5 cm X 9.5 cm mini glass tank may be a little big for the baby at this stage, but I'm convinced the deep, damp substrate will keep it happy. I have a small piece of bark with a hollow beneath it as a hide, but it prefers to sit on top of the bark, like a lookout.

I don't know what the temperature in the cage is, but will find a way to measure it soon. The emilia does not sit up against the warm side, as do my big T's, so I don't think it's too cold for it. I also think it is still quite healthy, because it is very active.

The little B.emilia ate a little criket ! :woohoo: Three weeks in, but at last I can relax.

:D:D

Sent from my GT-N7100 a long time ago and far, far away.....

Deon wrote: The little B.emilia ate a little criket ! :woohoo: Three weeks in, but at last I can relax.

In a general sort of way B. emilia is a little like G. rosea in that they march to their own drummer. G. rosea just do things irrationally (or so it seems to us), but B. emilia often just does things extremely slowly.

Another thing to consider: While South Africa is nowhere near as far south as Canada is north (where I am), Cape Town is still at 34 deg south. If you live in Cape Town you (and your tarantulas) are still going to notice a marked change in day length and average daily temperature as the year progresses. Both of these are important clues that the tarantula will use to entrain itself to the local calendar. And, in mid-winter, many if not most tarantulas are going to want to hunker down for the duration. During that time they're going to want to spend more time in their hides, not move around so much, and may stop eating entirely.

Hope this helps. Best of luck.

WE NEED TO LEARN TO VIEW THE WORLD FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A LARGE, FUZZY SPIDER!